Dynamo fans come out strong and loud

Sold-out crowd fills stadium to show the team has the city behind them

El Batallon support group band performs the Houston Dynamo Goal Song as they marching toward their designated section before the team takes on Seattle Sounders FC for the first leg of the Western Conference Championship game at BBVA Compass Stadium on Tuesday, Nov. 21, in Houston.

Media: Brandpoint

Don't tell Mannie Gutierrez to be quiet.

On Tuesday night, Gutierrez joined more than 20,000 other Houstonians in a sold-out crowd at the Houston Dynamo's final home game of the year, screaming his throat raw in hopes it would energize his team to a win over Seattle Sounders FC in the first leg of the Western Conference finals.

The Dynamo have had poor fan showings all season - even as the team reached greater heights in playoffs than they have in several years. At the club's last home game, a 0-0 draw against the Portland Timbers, during the final stretch of the Astros miracle season, one in three seats remained empty.

But now that the World Series is over, and the Dynamo are in the playoffs, the soccer club easily filled BBVA Compass Stadium Tuesday night. And for Gutierrez, who's been present for heartbreak and heroism all season, it felt good to know the Dynamo finally have the support of the city behind them.

"The last couple years were difficult. The team wasn't doing very good," says Gutierrez, 30, who is one of the heads of the team's unofficial fan club, El Batallon.

Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle

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Mannie Gutierrez waves the El Batallon support group flag as they march toward their designated support group area to watch the first leg of the Western Conference Championship between Houston Dynamo and Seattle Sounders FC at BBVA Compass Stadium on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017, in Houston. The support group has more than 300 members. less

Mannie Gutierrez waves the El Batallon support group flag as they march toward their designated support group area to watch the first leg of the Western Conference Championship between Houston Dynamo and ... more

Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle

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El Batallon support group band performs the Houston Dynamo Goal Song as they marching from King's Court Bar and Kitchen toward the first leg of the Western Conference Championship game against Seattle Sounders FC at BBVA Compass Stadium on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017, in Houston. The support group has more than 300 members. less

El Batallon support group band performs the Houston Dynamo Goal Song as they marching from King's Court Bar and Kitchen toward the first leg of the Western Conference Championship game against Seattle Sounders ... more

Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle

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An El Batallon support group member cheers for the Houston Dynamo during the first half of the first leg of the Western Conference Championship game against the Seattle Sounders at BBVA Compass Stadium on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017, in Houston. less

An El Batallon support group member cheers for the Houston Dynamo during the first half of the first leg of the Western Conference Championship game against the Seattle Sounders at BBVA Compass Stadium on ... more

Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle

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The first leg of the Western Conference Championship game between Houston Dynamo and Seattle Sounders is a sold out game at BBVA Compass Stadium on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017, in Houston.

The first leg of the Western Conference Championship game between Houston Dynamo and Seattle Sounders is a sold out game at BBVA Compass Stadium on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017, in Houston.

Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle

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Mannie Gutierrez, one of the leaders of the El Batallon support group, sings along with the band as they cheer up the crowd before the first leg of the Western Conference Championship between Houston Dynamo and Seattle Sounders FC at BBVA Compass Stadium on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017, in Houston. The support group has more than 300 members. less

Mannie Gutierrez, one of the leaders of the El Batallon support group, sings along with the band as they cheer up the crowd before the first leg of the Western Conference Championship between Houston Dynamo and ... more

Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle

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Mannie Gutierrez, one of the leaders of the El Batallon support group, sings along with the band as they cheer up the crowd before the first leg of the Western Conference Championship between Houston Dynamo and Seattle Sounders FC at BBVA Compass Stadium on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017, in Houston. The support group has more than 300 members. less

Mannie Gutierrez, one of the leaders of the El Batallon support group, sings along with the band as they cheer up the crowd before the first leg of the Western Conference Championship between Houston Dynamo and ... more

Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle

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an El Batallon support group member sings along the Houston Dynamo Goal Song with the band and shows off his "Forever Orange" scarf as they march toward their designated support group area to watch the first leg of the Western Conference Championship between Houston Dynamo and Seattle Sounders FC at BBVA Compass Stadium on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017, in Houston. The support group has more than 300 members. less

an El Batallon support group member sings along the Houston Dynamo Goal Song with the band and shows off his "Forever Orange" scarf as they march toward their designated support group area to watch the first ... more

Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle

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El Batallon support group band performs the Houston Dynamo Goal Song as they marching from King's Court Bar and Kitchen toward the first leg of the Western Conference Championship game against Seattle Sounders FC at BBVA Compass Stadium on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017, in Houston. The support group has more than 300 members. less

El Batallon support group band performs the Houston Dynamo Goal Song as they marching from King's Court Bar and Kitchen toward the first leg of the Western Conference Championship game against Seattle Sounders ... more

Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle

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Houston Dynamo fans cheer during the first half of the MLS Western Conference Finals at BBVA Compass Stadium on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017, in Houston.

Houston Dynamo fans cheer during the first half of the MLS Western Conference Finals at BBVA Compass Stadium on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017, in Houston.

Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle

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El Batallon support group member Joel Reyna Jr. wears a pari of sunglasses says "Let's Go Dynamo!!" while joining other members at King's Court Bar and Kitche before headed to the first leg of the Western Conference Championship game between Houston Dynamo and Seattle Sounders FC at BBVA Compass Stadium on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017, in Houston. The support group has more than 300 members. less

El Batallon support group member Joel Reyna Jr. wears a pari of sunglasses says "Let's Go Dynamo!!" while joining other members at King's Court Bar and Kitche before headed to the first leg of the Western ... more

Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle

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Houston Dynamo fans cheer during the first half of the MLS Western Conference Finals at BBVA Compass Stadium on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017, in Houston.

Houston Dynamo fans cheer during the first half of the MLS Western Conference Finals at BBVA Compass Stadium on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017, in Houston.

Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle

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Houston Dynamo forward Alberth Elis (17) takes a shot against the Seattle Sounders during the first half of the MLS Western Conference Finals at BBVA Compass Stadium on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017, in Houston.

Houston Dynamo forward Alberth Elis (17) takes a shot against the Seattle Sounders during the first half of the MLS Western Conference Finals at BBVA Compass Stadium on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017, in Houston.

Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle

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Houston Dynamo and Seattle Sounders players get into an altercation s Seattle Sounders defender Kelvin Leerdam (18) is lying on the ground during the first half of the first leg of the Western Conference Championship game at BBVA Compass Stadium on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017, in Houston. less

Houston Dynamo and Seattle Sounders players get into an altercation s Seattle Sounders defender Kelvin Leerdam (18) is lying on the ground during the first half of the first leg of the Western Conference ... more

Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle

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Seattle Sounders defender Gustav Svensson (4) and midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro (10) celebrate Svensson's goal against the Houston Dynamo during the first half of the MLS Western Conference Finals at BBVA Compass Stadium on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017, in Houston. less

Seattle Sounders defender Gustav Svensson (4) and midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro (10) celebrate Svensson's goal against the Houston Dynamo during the first half of the MLS Western Conference Finals at BBVA Compass ... more

Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle

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Houston Dynamo goalkeeper Joe Willis (31) dives in vain for a goal scored by Seattle Sounders defender Gustav Svensson (4) during the first half of the MLS Western Conference Finals at BBVA Compass Stadium on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017, in Houston. less

Houston Dynamo goalkeeper Joe Willis (31) dives in vain for a goal scored by Seattle Sounders defender Gustav Svensson (4) during the first half of the MLS Western Conference Finals at BBVA Compass Stadium on ... more

Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle

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Seattle Sounders defender Kelvin Leerdam (18) knocks the baol out of bounds on a drive up the field by Houston Dynamo midfielder Alex (14) during the first half of the MLS Western Conference Finals at BBVA Compass Stadium on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017, in Houston. less

Seattle Sounders defender Kelvin Leerdam (18) knocks the baol out of bounds on a drive up the field by Houston Dynamo midfielder Alex (14) during the first half of the MLS Western Conference Finals at BBVA ... more

Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle

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Houston Dynamo midfielder Tomas Martinez (25) and Seattle Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan (7) go up for a header during the first half of the MLS Western Conference Finals at BBVA Compass Stadium on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017, in Houston. less

Houston Dynamo midfielder Tomas Martinez (25) and Seattle Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan (7) go up for a header during the first half of the MLS Western Conference Finals at BBVA Compass Stadium on ... more

"It's been depressing, heartbreaking," Gutierrez says of the last three seasons, during which the Dynamo were left out of postseason play. "It's like being in a relationship with someone that seems like they're not trying. Or, as much effort as you're putting in, it's not working out. But you hold on and hope there will be better days."

Those better days have come now. And Gutierrez spent Tuesday night celebrating.

He and more than 100 members of El Batallon began the evening at King's Court, a bar just behind the stadium, more than three hours before the game kicked off at 8:30 p.m.

Making a big sound

They started with a keg, wrapping on wristbands and passing around cups of sloshing beer as they caught up on daily life, slapping backs and shooting the breeze about just how brutally the Dynamo would slay Seattle. They laughed. They hollered and yelled a bit, cheering over each other as streaming music blared.

Then came the real noise.

"Sometimes, I have to put toilet paper in my ears," says Evelin McCombs, as she stands on the bar's rooftop deck around 7 p.m.

She's sipping a plastic-cup of beer with her friend Thuy Campbell, whom McCombs talked into coming along for the very first time.

"I have no idea what it will entail," says Campbell. "But I'm so excited."

Someone passes both women an orange sheet of paper with song lyrics for the night's chants and Campbell's eyes grow wide.

Well, technically, you are allowed to sit during the game, McCombs says. "You just have to go somewhere else."

The music around the women dies down, as a line of drums snakes through the crowd and El Batallon's band begins to play. Soon, McCombs, Campbell and the ever-growing crowd around them are jumping up and down, dancing and singing at the top of their lungs. Even the twinkle lights strung up above them are shaking.

The drums grow louder, until each boom sounds like fireworks, and Gutierrez signals to his crew that it's time to take the party to a new location. They shut down the street between the bar and the stadium, in what has now grown to a 600-person parade, complete with brass instruments and the steady beat of drums.

It's called a "caravana," and like many of the other aspects of fandom brought to the stadium by El Batallon, it's a page taken from Latin-American culture. Someone on the street cracks open an orange smoke bomb, and the smell of sulfur mixes with the smell of spilled beer, wafting through the crowd by an dozens of orange-and-blue flags waving high. It's like Fourth of July, if America's colors were switched to orange and blue and all the patriotic songs include the word "Houston."

This is the flavor of fandom Gutierrez searched for when he first began coming to Dynamo games.

"I went to my first game back in 2006," he says. "I honestly had a stigma about MLS - the quality of play and the culture of the fans. What they were, and what the league was trying to have at their stadium. It seemed like they just wanted suburban soccer families."

That didn't jive with the kind of fan he wanted to be.

"For me, going to a game is about getting involved, it's pushing the team. It's losing your voice and feeling and living in the moment, fighting for every inch and being enthralled, and singing the entire time for the team," he says. "I was looking for something more vibrant."

The ruckus is there

In the 10 years since he's become one of the team's steadiest fans, he's helped shape that culture at the stadium. And now, even on nights when there are thousands of empty seats in the crowd, Dynamo games can reach a decibel level that can put even some of the league's bigger teams to shame.

"Our stadium can be loud. Everyone will always point to Seattle and Portland, and there they have the numbers," says Edgar Veliz, a spokesman for the Dynamo. In Seattle, the soccer stadium can hold 67,000 fans - about three times as many as here.

"Here, the numbers may not always be there, but the ruckus is there even when the numbers aren't," Veliz continues.

"For 90 minutes, nothing else matters - the stresses of life, and work, and loss. It's just the colors on the field - the men from your town fighting for a little bit of victory," he says. "And the way we cheer, it's like we're fighting there with them, as hard as we can."